Millions of motorists are driving around with poor eyesight, according to a survey.
As many as 23% of those not wearing glasses admit their vision is less than perfect, the poll by LV= car insurance found.
And 7% of drivers who should wear glasses for driving do not always put them on when they get behind the wheel, the poll revealed.
Some of those who admit sight difficulties say they have trouble seeing at night and others struggle in bad weather.
Yet a third of them have not had their eyes tested in the last five years and 13% have either had a test more than 10 years ago or never had one.
In a test of 256 randomly-selected drivers, LV= car insurance found 9% were unable to make out a number plate just over 20 metres away on their first attempt. This figure rose to 18% of drivers aged 55 or over.
Of those who should wear glasses for driving but do not, 57% said they simply forget to put them on and 32% think it unnecessary.
A total of 2,490 UK drivers were surveyed.
LV= car insurance managing director John O'Roarke said: "The number plate test is a compulsory requirement of the driving test for a very good reason. However, this is no substitute for regular eye examinations as eyesight can change significantly over time.
John O’Roarke, LV car insurance managing director, said: “The number plate test is a compulsory requirement of the driving test for a very good reason. However, this is no substitute for regular eye examinations as eyesight can change significantly over time.
“Driving with poor eyesight is a criminal offence and can result in a fine, penalty points or even a ban, as well as invalidating your car insurance when it comes to making a claim.”
New EU legislation, set to be introduced in 2011, will require holders of private licences to have their eyes tested every 10 to 15 years, with holders of commercial licences having to do it every five years.
Source : Press Association
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